children with autism

strategies for accessing the curriculum

physical education

North West
Regional
Special
Educational
department for Needs
education and skills Partnership
creating opportunity, releasing potential, achieving excellence
www.dfes.gov.uk www.sen-northwest.org.uk
acknowledgement
This book is the result of work that began in Lancashire LEA in 1991.
The National Autistic Society (NAS) seconded a member of staff, Mick Connelly, to advise
Lancashire with regard to the needs of children with autism.
A part of this work was the development of curriculum access documents. The foundations for
this were laid out in the report ‘Autism in Lancashire’ by the NAS. The curriculum work was then
taken forward by the Autism Research Team (1992-1995), The Complex Learning Difficulties
service (1995-98), the Blackpool Physical, Sensory and Complex Difficulties Service
(1998-1999) and finally the North West SEN Regional Partnership (1999 and ongoing),
facilitated by Diane Whalley.

The following people have been major contributors to this book:

Sue Allison (Boys and Girls Welfare Society)
Tony Bland (CLD)
Diane Chiappi (CLD)
Jennifer Clarken (Warrington LEA)
Mick Connelly (NAS/CLD/PSC/Blackpool LEA)
Val Cumine (ART)
Gail Garraty (CLD)
Jacqui Ghigi (PSC/Blackpool LEA)
Julia Leech (ART)
Jean Leeming (CLD)
Jean Mallaband (CLD)
Sylvia Oakes (Bolton LEA)
Pauline Richardson (CLD)
Linda Roberts (CLD)
Karin Sherrington (CLD/Bury LEA)
Clive Smith (CLD)
Gill Stevenson (ART/Blackburn with Darwen LEA)
Sandra Tetley (CLD)
Jean Vesty (Rochdale LEA)
Jacqui Wheple (Bolton LEA)
Philip Wilde (CLD)
Alan Woodward (Bolton LEA)

The document was taken to the Autism Good Practice Working Party at the Department for
Educational Skills (DfES) in July 2003, discussed and disseminated for critical commentary.
Very positive feedback was received from Nigel Fulton (DfES) and John Brown (CQA) which
has been incorporated into the text. Anne Rushton, Senior Educational Psychologist in
Manchester, then gave the document a final proof reading.
The partnership would like to thank Ian Southern and Amanda Marshall of Lancashire County
Council for their forebearance and their unwavering support.
The strategies discussed are the result of real work in real schools. They reflect the ingenuity of
dedicated teachers, learning support assistants and parents/carers. Most importantly they
reflect upon the amazing nature of pupils with autism. To them, all of us are grateful.
a
introduction
Autism, Asperger syndrome, infantile autism, pervasive developmental disorders, these terms
and many more are all used to describe individuals with a particular developmental disability.
Some features of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are also seen in pupils described as having
other conditions e.g. Pathological Demand Avoidance syndrome (PDA), Semantic Pragmatic
syndrome and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). Collectively they are referred to as
Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Despite the range of terminology used there are common features,
which include differences in social development, language and communication development,
insistence on sameness and social imagination. This is often accompanied by difficulties
processing sensory information. The social impairment is characterised by a level of social
detachment and a lack of responsiveness to other people. The communication problems can
range from a total lack of language or communication skills to individuals who may speak
fluently but with a voice that lacks intonation or expression. They generally find the
complexities of language difficult to understand. Individuals are often intolerant of changes in
their environment and routine. Despite these collective descriptors the children are as uniquely
individual as any other child.

Pupils with an autistic spectrum disorder face great challenges when accessing learning
alongside their peers. Their range of ability is as great as the learning difficulties they face. The
purpose of this document is two fold. Firstly, it provides colleagues with a framework to help
them to a better understanding of the needs of such pupils. Secondly, it provides examples of
general strategies around which they may develop short-term targets to meet the objectives
outlined in section 3 in the pupil’s Statement of Special Educational Needs or at School Action
Plus (SA+). This is a working document that will continue to be reviewed, developed and added
to in the light of the successful work being undertaken in the many schools in the North West
working with pupils with asd. It has been written by practitioners and is intended to be used by
practitioners, particularly hard-pressed teachers who have a myriad of other duties and
responsibilities.

The current government’s policy of promoting educational (and social) inclusion of pupils with
special educational needs into mainstream schools means that colleagues on the shop floor will
need to be aware of the needs of children with pervasive developmental disorders that are
within the autistic landscape. Bearing that in mind, the document includes an outline of Autism
and Asperger syndrome as the most common examples of autistic spectrum disorder to be
found in mainstream schools.

On the assessment side, there is already a requirement for schools to assess all pupils who have
SEN and to prepare individual education plans that address the identified need. This document
directly focuses upon assisting this process at Key Stages 3 and 4.

Pupils with an autistic spectrum disorder will be educated in the whole range of provision
provided within and outside the local education authority (LEA). However, this document is
directed in the main towards those pupils who are within the mainstream sector.

NB Throughout ‘he’ is used to reflect the male/female ratio. The term asd has been used
although it is recognised that this is an over- simplification.
introduction
“School days provide the earliest opportunity for social contact for the vast
majority of people, and yet, I remember those days with trepidation....If only
I had had the right sort of professional support at school while on school
premises, life would have been so much easier. Someone to make me less
oblivious of the impression which I was giving other pupils, and to give
strategies”. (Thomas Mader)

We hope that this document will be a practical and helpful tool in your day-to-day work.

Mick Connelly
Blackpool Education, Leisure and Cultural Services.
On behalf of the above contributors and the North West SEN Regional Partnership

The document may be accessed as a whole or as subject areas.

©
© North West SEN Regional Partnership
Published in 2004 by the North West SEN Regional Partnership. All rights reserved. Local
Educational Authorities and other non-commercial educational organisations and those employed
by them may photocopy any section of this report on condition that the source is acknowledged. All
other individuals and organisations must not reproduce or transmit this report, or any part of it, by
any means, electronically or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information or
retrieval system, without prior permission from the publisher.
autism & asperger syndrome
Autism is considered to be a disorder of development. The causes of autism still remain
unknown although genetic factors, complications in pregnancy or during the child’s birth and
other medical aspects such as infection, viral disease or even vaccination have all at various
times been considered to play some part in the onset of autism. The terms autism and Asperger
Syndrome were used and the syndrome described in the early 1940’s by Leo Kanner
(a psychiatrist working in America) and Hans Asperger (a paediatrician working in Vienna)
respectively.
Although we have a greater understanding of prevalence rates there is no consensus. Figures
from the MRC’s Review of Autism Reasearch: Epidemiology and Causes (Dec 2001)
suggest that:

‘There appears fairly good agreement that the asd affect approximately 60 per 10,000 under
8 years, of whom 10 - 30 per 10,000 pupils have narrowly defined asd. These estimates
confirm that asd is far more common than previously generally recognised.’

It is therefore likely that in each secondary school of 1,000 you could well expect to find at
least 6 pupils with asd.

The most consistently held view of asd at present is the result of research by Lorna Wing & Judy
Gould working in the late 1970s. They identified the three common features or core aspects of
asd, more commonly known as the “ Triad of Impairments”.
These are:
• impairment of two-way social interaction.
• impairment of verbal and non-verbal communication.
• impairment of flexible thinking and social imagination

Asd is now generally seen as a continuum or a spectrum disorder. Individuals with asd can
display a wide range of intellectual ability, from those who are severely intellectually
challenged through to some who may be of average or even above average ability. Whatever
the ability level of the individual all three core aspects must be present for asd to be
identified.

Whilst some parents may be unaware of their child’s problems in the very early weeks of life,
research indicates that a small number are certain of some abnormality in their child’s
development before the age of twelve months. Many parents are unaware of any problem until
the birth of their second child; (statistically the majority of children with asd are first born). In
many cases, it is not until a child enters a pre-school setting and direct comparisons with other
children are made, either by the child’s parents or professionals that any question of
developmental delay is raised. The average age of diagnosis of asd is 5.5 years and for
Asperger Syndrome is 11.3 years. Diagnosis often lags behind recognition causing frustration
and difficulties amongst parents, teachers and not least pupils.

The majority of pupils at pre-school level will at times display examples of

behaviour or a ‘lack’ of behaviour that can be associated with the ‘triad of
impairment’. Isolated incidents of impairments of social interaction, communication or rigid
thought patterns should not immediately lead to a consideration of asd for any pupils.
Repeated evidence of a combination of impairment from all three areas would suggest the
need for further assessment.
impairment in social interaction
Pupils in play schools, nurseries and other pre-school settings are by nature
egocentric.

Questions should be asked only:

• if a child consistently shows a marked lack of awareness of others, both adults and peers,
particularly
• if the child displays a similar lack of awareness about others’ feelings
• if a child is completely unmoved and even unaware of another child’s distress
• if distressed does not seek comfort.
Pupils with asd often display a propensity for imitative ability however, they have great difficulty
in showing appropriate, social imitation. There are obvious consequences for the child’s
learning when action-rhyming games etc have little or no social meaning.

There is therefore a delay in the development of social play. Pupils with asd do not actively
participate in simple games and may reject, sometimes with extreme force, their parents or
other adult’s early attempts to join in with them.

Autism is considered to be a
disorder of development.
impairment of communication
From the earliest stages communicative activities will be marked by an
‘inappropriateness’, and by a lack of communicative intent. Eye-to-eye gaze, use of facial
expression to convey information, body posture or gesture, all may be absent or used
inappropriately to initiate or modulate social interaction.

In social situations inappropriate body language may be used, such as a child turning their
back upon people or getting too close, invading personal space when curious to know more
about the person.

Role playing and acting out imaginative activities may not feature in the repertoire of a pupil
with asd. This absence limits many opportunities for language and communication
development. Older pupils often lack interest in fictional stories preferring factual events or
information.
The child’s speech is often abnormal with an inability to use volume, pitch, stress, rhythm and
intonation appropriately. Speech may be pedantic or have a monotonous tone. Echolalic
speech is a common feature, where the child may repeat anything from single words, short
phrases through to whole conversations, with little notion of context.

Where language and speech does develop it is often characterised by errors in structure. The
child may be unable to use language in an appropriate social context, or may use their own
idiosyncratic structure. “Go on green riding” may mean, “I want to go on the swing”.

“Go on green riding” may mean, “I want to go on the swing”

impairment of flexible thinking
As social impairment can be seen to affect language development so impairment in language
development has an effect upon the thinking of an individual with asd. A child’s inability to
make sense of their own environment may result in the child being constantly in conflict
with their world. Many researchers believe that individuals resolve such confusion through their
insistence on following known routines or their dependence on real objects and their lack of
response to people who can be unpredictable. Such views are supported by the writings of the
more able individuals with asd who describe their feelings of security developed through such
actions.

Wendy Lawson, an adult with asd describes looking at life as a video in which she can’t take
part.

So pupils may use concrete objects to develop a personal feeling of control. Many pupils with
asd develop obsessions for particular objects, often with inappropriate responses, sniffing or
smelling them, feeling their textures. Pupils may simply sit spinning the wheels of a toy car or
watching the washing machine with fascination or fear.

With a difficulty in making sense of the environment any changes, even trivial aspects such as
moving a picture, can alter the child’s perception of the whole environment. Changes in routine
or environment are unsettling and for individuals to accommodate such changes requires a
major effort, Pupils then, will go to extreme lengths to maintain the ‘sameness’ and any
inability to maintain the ‘status quo’ can cause major problems. This need for security is often
manifested in a restricted range of interests. Pupils may line up pieces of Lego, (not building
creatively), amass facts about meteorology or pretend to be the same character over and over
again.
Christa went away on a school trip and whilst away her mother decorated her bedroom as a
nice surprise. Christa destroyed everything in the bedroom on the first night back.

One of the consequences of these impairments is a heightened perceptual difficulty, which

reinforces the individual’s lack of understanding. Being unable to predict outcomes and events
can result in the child developing a high degree of insecurity and anxiety. As a response the
child then adopts his or her own unique stress reducing behaviours or coping strategies,
commonly at odds with the demands of the school routine.

The aspects of the triad are all inter-linked. Each strand will interact with and affect the others
eg a child who is totally detached from others will lack an understanding of the need to
communicate. The factors change and shift over time and context rather like a child’s
kaleidoscope.

note: within the strategies presented it is important to address the ‘triad of

impairments’ rather than the manifest behavioural symptoms, which are themselves a result of
the child attempting to come to terms with a confusing and inexplicable environment and social
structure.
psychological insights
A great deal of research has been done on the medical understanding of the pathology of asd.
Lorna Wing described it as rather like trying to grasp mercury - you think you have it but end
up having to chase lots of smaller pieces.

This research is crucially important, however insights from psychological research and studies
have far greater implications for the practioners.

Briefly there are three interrelated areas of study:

• Theory of Mind
• Executive Function
• Central Coherence.
Theory of Mind:
A lack of understanding that other people have thoughts, feelings, wishes and desires that are
different from their own.

A lack of basic perceptual/affective abilities for the person to engage in “personal relatedness”
with others.

“The face bone is connected to the mind bone” (Meltgoff and Gobnick 1993)

Michael came into school and told the teachers that his Grandma had died and his Mum was
crying but he didn’t know why his Mum was crying.

Implications of Theory of Mind

• predicting behaviour
• reading intentions/motives
• explaining own behaviour
• understanding effects of own behaviour
• communication/language use
• sharing attention/eye contact
• imagination - fiction - role play
• deceiving/understand deception
Executive Function:
Difficulties with problem solving, planning, sequencing, organisation, attention and
disinhibition, (often also seen in pupils with ADHD and/or epilepsy).

“Impairment of the ability to maintain an appropriate problem - solving set for the attainment of
a future goal” (Lauria 1996)

Gill didn’t know when to finish a task and carried on writing until the book was full.

Karen couldn’t start an exam paper because she had noticed that the questions were
numbered wrongly. Staff had to take the paper away and correctly number it.
psychological insights
Implications of Executive Function Deficit
• difficulty in perceiving emotion
• difficulty in imitation
• difficulty in pretend play
• difficulty in planning
• difficulty in starting and stopping
Central Coherence
The difficulty with taking parts of information and making it into a whole eg seeing the woods
for the trees.

“The ability to experience wholes without attention to the constituent parts” (Leo Kanner 1944)

Sheila Griffin took pupils to the woods near her school. They spotted a squirrel sat on top of an
overflowing rubbish bin. Simon commented with great excitement ‘Look someone’s thrown away
a perfectly good squirrel’.

Implications of Central Coherence Deficit

• idiosyncratic focus of attention
• imposition of own perspective
• preference for the known
• inattentivness to new tasks
• difficulty in choosing/prioritising
• difficulty organising self/materials
• difficulty seeing connections/generalising
These psychological insights may be seen to be describing deficits but as they are the learning
style of the pupil with asd they could be seen as strengths. The strategies described in this
document have tried to incorporate them in a positive way. We believe differences is a better
description than difficulty, deficiency, deficit or disability to reflect the way a person with asd
views the world.

(with thanks to Julia Dunlop for assisting with the preparation of this material)
pupils with asd in mainstream schools
Listed below are the three areas of impairment and some of the common characteristics that
pupils with asd may display. In addition, poor motor co-ordination and sensory perceptual
differences are listed. Although not diagnostic features, they are commonly found in pupils with
asd in mainstream education.
1. Impairment of language and communication.
• the pupil has a superficially perfect spoken language, which may seem formal and
pedantic.
• their voice may lack expression.
• when listening to others the pupil understands the words rather than the meaning, this is
often the case when reading (Known as ‘hyperlexia’).
• the pupil may understand others in a literal way, without understanding the implications of
what has been said.
• the pupil is limited in their use of non-verbal communication and often cannot make sense
of the gestures, facial expressions and body language of others.

2. Impaired social interaction.

• the pupil may be socially isolated amongst his peer group (but may not be worried about
it) or may wish to join in with his peers but cannot and becomes upset and concerned about
it, lacking the strategies to develop and sustain friendship.
• the pupil may feel tense if others approach him and make social demands.
• the pupil fails to pick up social cues and unwritten rules. This makes him appear odd and
prone to teasing and ridicule.
• the pupil may behave or use language in a socially inappropriate way.
3. Rigidity of thought and behaviour.
• the pupil may have an all - absorbing interest which peers find unusual.
• the pupil may insist on the adherence to certain routines.
• the development of the ability to think and to play creatively will be limited.
• the pupil will have difficulties in generalising skills from one setting to another.
4. Poor motor co-ordination.
• the pupil may appear gauche in their movements - attracting ridicule from their peers.
• the pupil’s presentation of work may be poor and tasks are often unfinished.
• the pupil may have difficulty with self organisation, eg packing school bag, finding way
round school.
• the pupil may have difficulties with handwriting and in some cases they may be dyspraxic.
• the pupil’s difficulties may be severe enough to warrent the label of ‘dyspraxia’.
5 Sensory perceptual differences
• over or under sensitive to smell, taste, touch, sight , sound
• under/over sensitivity to heat and pain.
• inability to filter out extraneous noise/stimuli and focus on the salient information/speaker.
• unusual visual perception, may have difficulties picking out the foreground/background of
a picture.
• perseveration on one detail in a picture despite its relevance to the subject.
strategies
The following suggestions are offered as a series of ’tips’ that have been gathered from
parents, teachers and support staff. Consideration of these simple ‘tips’ will aid the drawing up
of individual education plans.

Social Interaction.
• understand that the young person may feel threatened by the close proximity of others -
especially those his own age.
• allow the young person time for solitary reflection.
• proceed at the young person’s pace when trying to develop interaction, it may be
necessary to ‘move down’ developmentally.
• identify what the young person likes and dislikes socially - use this knowledge when
planning activities.
• the young person is more likely to interact with familiar people, so give him or her time to
get to know you. Introduce new people sensitively.
• do not presume that the young person will want to please you.
• watch for anyone who subtly annoys the young person.
• identify anyone who feeds off and feeds back inappropriate behaviour.
• be aware of the young person’s vulnerability that may lead to bullying and teasing.
• peers may need to be shown how the young person with an asd finds things difficult so that
they are aware and can help the young person cope with different situations.
• consider the opportunity to work 1:1 with the young person for short periods in a quiet area
in order to teach new concepts or to build upon existing ones.
• establish a ‘buddy’ system in class/school.
• ensure that both staff and peers allow the young person to develop as much independence
as possible. Do not do for the young person what he can do himself.
• create co-operative learning opportunities with peers. Build up specific skills through
natural activities with one peer, a few peers etc.
• be aware that the young person may be defensive of his own personal space.
• focus on shared interests, use interests and strengths.
The following social skills may need to be taught specifically:
• turn taking • complimenting
• negotiating • responding
• inviting • waiting
• greeting • repairing breakdowns
• joining others • accepting answers of others
• accepting success of others. • taking the lead
• following others’ ideas • joking and ‘teasing’.
strategies
Communication.
• specifically engage attention visually, verbally or physically.
• slow down the pace.
• give the young person time to respond.
• simplify your language.
• be concrete and specific.
• keep facial expressions and gestures simple and clear.
• give one instruction at a time, not a sequence.
• avoid using vague terms such as; later, maybe ‘why did he do that’.
• use gestures, modelling, and demonstration with verbalisation.
• if necessary for understanding, break down tasks into smaller steps.
• give a clear indication of the amount of work required, teach what ‘finished’ means and
what to do next.
• use additional visual (or written) clues to aid the young person’s understanding
• sensitive to the young person’s attempts to communicate.
• teach the young person how to ask for or refuse help and how to indicate that he needs a
break.
• set up situations, which will encourage the young person to communicate.
• don’t assume that as the young person has repeated an instruction that he has necessarily
understood.
• explain:
- metaphors ( eg ‘frog in your throat’ )
- idioms ( eg ‘save your breath’ )
- double meanings ( most jokes have double meanings )
- sarcasm (saying ‘that was very clever’ as a child kicks the ball out of the ground )
- nicknames
- cute names ( eg ‘Sweet’, ‘Pal’, ‘Wise guy’ ).
• remember that facial expressions and gestures used in regulating classes - the raised
eyebrow or the arms folded while ominously waiting for quiet and other social cues or
indicators may not work.
• provide accurate, prior information about change.
• provide accurate prior information about expectations.
• don’t rely on emotional appeals.
• don’t give options if there are no options - be absolutely consistent.
• teach safety phrases such as ‘are you pretending’ to give the young person a vocabulary
of questions to help them to gain information (they will not know how to do it naturally) so
that they can determine the nature of the situation and respond appropriately.
strategies
• remember an increase in unusual responses probably indicates an increase in stress.
• if the young person becomes agitated understand that the usual strategies for calming a
young person (e.g. physical comfort, verbal reasoning) may have the opposite effect and
make the situation worse!
• for a young person who has an obsession - don’t try to stop it. Make it manageable, limit it
and try to use it positively.
• allow modifications as needed to deal with over or under sensitivity to environmental
stimuli.
• build in choice making, problem solving and self-reflection.
• avoid pressure to be ‘good’ or other abstract expectations.
• avoid punitive measures that lower self-esteem, increase anxiety and are not understood.
• disciplinary action should never be contingent upon behaviours that are part of the child’s
disability:-
- avoidance of eye contact.
- talking to self
- slow response time
- lack of respect for others.
- repeating words or phrases.
- upset in crowd or with noise.
- anxiety
- persevering on topics of interest
- upset caused by change.
• encourage awareness of location of materials and specific activity areas.
• introduce activities to develop gross and fine motor control.
• offer alternative methods for recording activities.
• use labels/diagrams/maps to increase the young person’s awareness and understanding
of his physical environment.
• if necessary use a sequence of pictures/instructions to develop organisation of materials
and activities.
• provide frameworks/scaffolds for activities that require spatial and sequencing skills.
• colour in the areas/ pictures you need the young person to focus on so that it can be
recognised against the background.

These strategies should be seen as constructive approaches that

address the learning differences of pupils with asd. In this way it
enables us to be proactive rather than reactive to the
behaviours/responses.
asd at key stages 3 and 4
Adolescence brings physical, intellectual and social changes for all pupils. The challenges
faced by pupils with asd stem not from their own, changing behaviour but from the altering
expectations of society, educational establishments, and family. It is the difficulties inherent in
understanding and responding to these changes that makes adolescence for pupils with asd
particularly stressful.

At this age the consequences of the triad of impairment for a pupils with asd are not lessened
by the response of those around them. The impact of social naiveties demonstrated by the
younger pupils becomes more manifest in the social structure of teenage life and within a
secondary school environment.

Social Impairment.
Pupils with ASD will have difficulty in understanding the subtle and unwritten rules of social
interaction. They will have difficulty, due to their lack of social empathy in understanding the
demands of peers and teachers. As a result their behaviour often will appear odd, unusual, or
abnormal in the majority of social contexts, regardless of their age or level of intellectual
ability. They do not choose to be different or rebellious or challenge authority, in the way some
teenagers do, through dress or habits. Their problem is a lack of intuitive understanding as to
how to fit into the social conventions of their school, family and local community. Social
impairment, therefore, must be clearly distinguished from anti-social behaviour. Pupils with asd
rarely have a good understanding of social rules and thus have no concept of the
consequences of breaking them.

Brenda would feel it necessary to explain to the teachers when she felt they had got it wrong.
If she felt that the teacher hadn’t listened to her she would follow them into the staff room and
back them into a corner to explain their mistake.

Again the lack of understanding of the subtle and unwritten rules of social
interaction means that very often the pupil’s manner is inappropriate to the social situation.
Even in an informal group Richard would stand upright as if he were ‘at attention’. He would
formally shake hands with other pupils even though he had been with them for the whole of his
school life.

John another pupil with asd had learnt that it was polite to say “after you” and allow the person
through if there was a queue. This became problematic when queuing up for his lunch in the
school canteen he proceeded to allow everybody to go in front of him, saying “after you” as the
other pupils arrived.

Peers (who are increasingly fragile in their own self-image) oftern regard pupils with asd as
eccentric.

From being in one class with one teacher, pupils find themselves with several
teachers who will probably have little practical experience of the social
impairment of pupils with asd. They are mixing with a greater number of peers who, coming
from different primary schools, may also have little awareness of autism.

Sam a Y8 youngster was prevented from going to the pupils’ toilets by Y7 pupils so logically he
went to staff toilets where he was found and given a detention for using them.
asd at key stages 3 and 4
Very often pupils with asd wish to be sociable but fail in their attempts to make relationships
with some of their peers. They are often to be found on the edge of the social group as they
watch the interaction but do not have the skills to join in or when they do so, may ask
embarrassing personal questions and make inappropriate approaches. In some fellow pupils this
can evoke sympathy, in others it leaves the pupils with asd vulnerable to teasing and bullying.
They become the butt of group jokes thereby reinforcing their failure to make appropriate social
overtures.

These pupils have little ability to understand the concept of friendship and the
reciprocal sharing of ideas and feelings that this involves. It may be shown as a complete lack
of interest in others resulting in a solitary school and home lifestyle. Another pupil with ASD may
want friends but try to have a friendship around an imposed set of rules that are followed as if
by rote. The comments of an able man with asd throw some light on the complexities of
friendship for an individual with asd.
“People seem to expect me to notice them and relate to them no matter who they are, just
because they happen to be there. But I don’t know who people are. I don’t know how (or why)
to talk to them. I don’t have much sense of people in general as things to be involved with. And
I don’t know how to have prefabricated relationships. If I happen to be involved with some
person in particular, I practically have to learn to talk all over again to develop a common
language with that person”. (Jim Sinclair).

The pupils may not know how to express sympathy when others are upset or show their own
pleasure and happiness.

Richard would not seek comfort when in distress or use physical gestures of empathy, such as
shuddering with horror, smiling or grimacing appropriately during a conversation.

“No-one ever bothered to explain to me what words meant. No one ever told me that they
expected to see feelings on my face, or that it confused them when I used words without
showing corresponding expressions. No one explained what the signals were or how to use
them. They simply assumed that if they could not see my feelings, I could not feel them”. (Jim
Sinclair)

Any work within the secondary school setting that requires working in-groups or within teams
will pose problems. The problems already discussed in communication means that co-operative
activities present particular problems for the pupils with asd. There is not only the difficulty in
learning to communicate with several people but also the pupils often lack an understanding
of the rules and conventions of team games, indeed the very concept of a team activity is
difficult for them to comprehend. In addition they may struggle to understand how to
co-operate and interact with other people in order to achieve a group target.

Rigidity of thought.
The problems inherent in making sense of a constantly changing world to some extent drive the
pupil’s need for consistency, sameness, a desire for routine. People with their changing voices,
clothes and moods are unpredictable. Some pupils with asd prefer attachment to objects.
Objects remain the same and are predictable. These may be carried around even when
inappropriate. Some researchers feel that there is a link to fundamental language impairment,
believing that pupils with asd have an inherent difficulty in applying language or labels to all
facets of life, labels for concrete objects being easier to apply than those for emotional or
transient states.
asd at key stages 3 and 4
The insistence on sameness, routine and an obsession for real objects are an all too obvious
response to the stress and anxiety caused by having to live in a world of which you are unable
to make sense.
The insistence on sameness is a major cause of behavioural problems. Where a routine is
broken pupils may become anxious or stressed and may respond with tantrums or outbursts: it
may be as simple as a change in the morning routine at home, a different route to school or a
change of timetable at school for an event or because of exams. (e.g. supply teacher, exam
stress)

This rigidity of thought manifests itself in a pupil’s literal interpretation of life. The world is seen
in very black and white terms, which presents difficulties for the pupils, as they get older.
Language may often be taken literally, often causing either amusement or offence.
A teacher should not be surprised if they tell a pupil to “pull their socks up” and that is exactly
what they do. Situations where the same word has one or more meanings are fraught with
problems. There is also for many pupils with asd an inability to lie. Sometimes their responses
are considered to be downright insolent. If a pupils is told to get on with his or her work and
they want to do something else they will often simply refuse to do it.

Impairment of communication.
Impairment of communication presents a range of difficulties. Where pupils have spoken
language their diction is often rather formal, sometimes ‘fussy’; pedantic or ‘robot-like’. Very
rarely do they adopt a local accent. Often they will fail to adjust their speech to fit in with the
social context. Use of language in a social context presents problems. Many pupils with asd
are unable to take account of the interests of different listeners but take every opportunity
themselves to talk, sometimes at length about their own particular obsession.

Some pupils will display marked impairments of non-verbal means of expression.

Imran does not make eye contact during conversation, shows no facial expression, uses no
gesture, does not nod or shake his head in agreement or disagreement and has a
monotonous voice.

Joyce makes use of large flailing gestures with no correspondence to what she is saying.

Jake has a vocal intonation that changes markedly from high to low without the usual
prosodic fluidity to be found in conversational speech.

The concept of pupils with asd having islets of ability is a common one. Indeed some pupils do
display a propensity for certain activities and some have highly developed skills in isolated
subjects. These pupils are the exception rather than the rule and in the majority of cases their
ability is not functional. The individual may be able to perform calculations in their head
involving six figure sums but they could remain unable to solve simple practical problems or
shop for themselves.

On a visit to a classroom Thomas asked the educational psychologist to give him a hard sum.
10 x 6 he dismissed as too easy, 104 x 14 was also dismissed until finally 1,234x168 pleased
him and he calculated the correct answer.
asd at key stages 3 and 4
The teacher commented that last week Thomas had, a tantrum over the question how many
apples are there if there are 3 trees and 4 apples on each tree. He complained that she
hadn’t taught him how to do that.

Pupils with asd lack skills that most people learn by intuition and ‘osmosis’.
They have to ask themselves these questions on a regular basis:
• What would most people think in this situation?
• What would most people expect me to do now?
• What do most people assume I understand?
• What can I assume most people understand without being told?
• How would most people interpret my behaviour in this situation?
• How do I make a choice?
“I understand a lot about not understanding. I usually understand when I don’t understand
something, and I’m beginning to be able to recognise gaps between what I actually
understand and what other people assume I understand. Some of the missing connections that I
can finally have are funny and some are sad and some are infuriating. In some ways I am
terribly ill-equipped to survive in this life - an extra-terrestrial stranded without an
orientation manual”. (Jim Sinclair)

“When non-autistic people adopt eccentric behaviour, they have made a conscious choice to be
different for any number of reasons. Quite a few people seek attention by
deliberately doing bizarre things, especially in highly competitive fields such as rock music. In
spite of such diverse motives for eccentric behaviour, non-autistic people have in common one
thing that is generally lacking in asd. They are aware that most people will view their unusual
behaviour as odd”. (Margaret Dewey mother of a pupil with asd)

At the age of around seven years old or maybe younger, boys and girls seem to kick and push
each other a lot. Mum has told me that this is often because they actually like the
person they are kicking - and AS kids are considered weird!! AS kids reading this, I am not by
any means explaining this so that you think you have to do this kind of stuff. Just be yourself. I am
merely highlighting the fact that to get to where we are now - a bag of nerves or a
gibbering wreck (these both mean very nervous) in the face of a fanciable person - we have not
had the same social experiences as non AS kids. (Luke Jackson pupil with asd)

Staff who are working with pupils with asd should address the triad rather than
reacting to the behaviour

Look through the behaviour and find the child

physical education
physical education
“Physical education is about pupils learning about themselves: their
capabilities, their potential and their limitations. It is the foundation
of all sports participation. But it goes beyond the individual and
understanding themselves - it’s learning how to work with and to
respect others.” (Lucy Pearson, England Cricketer and Teacher)

Teaching should ensure that, when evaluating and improving performance, connections are
made between developing, selecting and applying skills, tactics and compositional ideas, and
fitness and health.
These requirements present additional learning opportunities for pupils with asd who need to
develop an increased awareness of self and others. Emphasis on local community activity and
outdoor pursuit provides enhanced access, which could transfer usefully into adult life.
The identified areas of difficulty for pupils with asd are in:

• social interaction, particularly interpersonal exchange

• language and communication, both verbal and non-verbal
• thought and behaviour, showing rigidity of thinking and impaired imagination. additionally,
• difficulties in gross and fine motor skills may be apparent in some pupils.
These pupils may bring a range of strengths and weaknesses to the teaching situation. Some
pupils will possess a range of skills which may be compatible with their age group, others will
wish to be active but will require a supportive level of adult intervention and some may be
significantly dependent on an adult for successful participation.

Aspects of challenge for pupils with asd include:

• social interaction eg turn-taking/sharing/partnerships/team-membership

• language and communication eg following/giving instructions
• thought and behaviour eg problem-solving, predicting/anticipating the problem-solution
• fine and gross motor control eg spatial awareness, planning and sequencing movements.
Aspects of benefit for the pupils with asd include:

• exercise and relaxation is known to reduce stress and anxiety in pupils with asd and is
thought to be so useful that exercise prior to a learning activity is sometimes advocated as
a mechanism to induce successful academic learning
• increased knowledge of games enhances the chances of inclusion in playground activity or
other social exchanges
• developing shared interests may lead to opportunities and confidence in joining clubs,
outdoor pursuits, etc.
• learning about rules and team playing and learning how to apply them can help alleviate
the burden of appearing as ‘highly individual/eccentric/odd’
• learning about body image in relation to the world assists in development of ‘self’ and
‘other’, cause and effect, essential for the pupils experiencing asd.
physical education
Acquiring and developing skills
Although not a core deficit, some pupils with asd may not have naturally good motor control.
This is often seen as a general clumsiness in gross motor activities. This will obviously affect their
skill acquisition of area. Some pupils with ASD will have problems with:
• planning and intending motor movements
• knowing how to use body space
and may have:
• impairment of messages or information from joints and muscles
Strategy:
• analysing the essential elements of the task and set parameters of level of difficulty and
duration
• praise the performance at the pupil’s individual level.
• giving clear physical and visual prompts. however, beware of pupils who get upset at being
touched at all
• limiting the space being used
• in a one-to-one situation explore space alone with pupils when hall is empty
Selecting and applying skills, tactics and compositional ideas
Often pupils can perseverate with actions. This means that their movements can become
“locked”. This can be the result of poor ability to organise, plan, or make decisions about
movements, especially if the display was shown as continuous movement

Strategy:
• teacher models movements and asks pupils to copy or video model movements and use
“freeze frame”
• alternatively, a still video camera linked to a digitizer can create an image or series of
images on television to be used as visual cues
Pupils with asd may fail to understand competitive or win/lose situation.
This can be caused by the pupils’:
• lack of empathic quality
• poor idea about affecting how others feel or think, impaired motivation to please
• poor sharing of attention
• impaired ability to know what others know
• difficulty in reading non-verbal signals
• poor idea of how to achieve a group target
Strategy:
• demonstrate his or her own and others’ enjoyment of the tasks set
• make explicit the “feel good” quality
• use other pupils to illustrate, explaining clearly why they may experience dejection at
failure, - point out their self-belief in “the next time” I will improve, do better.
physical education
Evaluating and improving performance
There will often be a lack of analytical ability by the pupils, often this is because they do not
know how to;
• begin or initiate activities
• carry out or continue activities
• respond to change
Strategy:
• breaking down the task into small individual steps
• teacher partnering the pupils, making explicit what is required and how to do it
• gradually introducing an empathic/ understanding pupils a partner
• increase the numbers of partners gradually
Knowledge and understanding of fitness and health
Pupils with asd often display no sense of danger. This most commonly manifests itself as an
apparent lack of “common sense” and arises as a result of a lack of awareness of self - poor
idea of their own body in space

Teachers should establish universal rules for where pupils can and cannot go, must or must not
do and ensure that they are followed.

Breadth of study
During each key stage, pupils should be taught the knowledge, skills and understanding
through four areas of activity. These should include:
A games activities

and three of the following, at least one of which must be dance or gymnastic activities:
B dance activities

C gymnastic activities
D swimming activities and water safety
E athletic activities
F outdoor and adventurous activities

The following are some points that need to be considered in all areas of study.

Pupils may have problems when following instructions given to the whole class. They might not
follow instructions or carrying them out may make an incorrect response. The most likely cause
being the level of social impairment and their response to the language used. Unless an
instruction is directed specifically at them it is ignored. It may also be because of tunnel
attention, eg the spoken label of an item is not connected with the item

Strategy:
• stand close to the apparatus to be used
• give clear, unambiguous instructions a stage at a time
physical education
Pupils may display an unwillingness, or avoidance of, or apparent “inability” to follow
instructions successfully may be due to a:
• difficulty in receiving any auditory information
• difficulty in processing the information, i.e. knowing what is required and how to
demonstrate knowledge of the requirements
• an inability to organise, plan and make a decision
Strategy:
• use of clear visual cues to narrowly focus the pupils to recognise that a particular signal has
been given and this requires a particular outcome
• make sure that the pupils knows that he or she is part of a group following universal rules
• a useful “trick” is to ask the pupils to check if everyone else is, “standing still” for example.
This has the effect of momentarily distracting the pupils from non-compliance and reinforces
the original message
• use visual representation, such as cards with sticker men showing positions, goals/penalties,
etc.
• be aware, pupils may now know how to but not why.
Changing for PE
This is an area of possible challenge for pupils with asd. A pupil may resist at this stage by
outright refusal or by using a strategy such as crying or having a tantrum. It is not unusual for
the pupils to get inadequately changed.
David went to the baths as part of his Year 7 games lessons. He walked out of the changing
room naked holding his trunks in his hand. He announced to the staff that his trunks were upside
down.
This response may be due to
• the desire for situations to remain constant, often the classroom becomes a safe haven and
changing for PE signals a move to somewhere where the rules, activities and interactions all
change.
• hypersensitivity to lighting, space, proximity of others, noise of voices raised in changing
room or hall
• a lack of social embarrassment
• aversion to bare skin or clothes with different feelings and textures
• aversion to changing clothes,
• change in movement including the altered rate and pace of pupils movement as opposed
to seated at desks when the pupils are sat in class

Strategy:
• pre-warn the pupils
• rehearse routine of changing for PE and then cue sequence usually at first and then
verbally
• allow more time in a quiet environment
physical education
Going into a gym/hall
In some situations the actual act of going into the gym/hall will present problems. Upon going
into the hall or gym pupils may become extremely anxious showing signs of distress, crying or
even having a full-blown tantrum. They may however just begin pacing up and down or around
the perimeter of hall. This reaction could be due to
• the change incurred in the pupil’s environment
• the change in acoustics in a hall with most likely an increased noise level
• not understanding the activities
• not liking physical activities at which he or she may not do well due to poor co-ordination
• not being able to cope with the space
• changing gym apparatus
• heightened sensitivity to invasion of private and personal space
Strategy:
• pre-warn the pupils
• prompt change with visual clues
• “Break up” space with floor tape mat, hoop and let pupils use this area initially
• time - gradually increase time spent and numbers of pupils participating
• if the problem is persistent a possible strategy is to allow the use of a personal stereo to
block out the echoing noise but this has safety implications, ear-plugs or ear-muffs could be
used but with the same reservations
At times of high anxiety and stress and where there is refusal to participate, it is sometimes
possible to appoint the pupil as scorer, timekeeper, etc. so that some involvement is maintained.
Avoid low-status, menial tasks as this contributes to low self-esteem and confirms lack of skill.

James refused to take part in all games that meant he was wet, cold or dirty. When he was
coerced into taking part he made sure that he was sent off. We negotiated which games he
would take part in. Consequently he spent the winter months playing badminton with the girls.
He was happy because he was warm and dry.
Pupils with asd will find it difficult to use skills developed for one situation in another or to
evaluate and improve these sequences. They often lack any ability to generalise skills and thus
find it difficult to create sequences from previously learnt skills.
They may display:
• impaired ability to compose or develop and assess imaginative or free expression
sequences and to apply aesthetic criteria
• impaired ability to generalise skills
• limited emotional range of expression, spontaneity and development of communicative
intent
physical education
Strategy:
• teacher models movements or video or photograph as above
• photographs can be taken of other pupils at work and the pupils asked to select a sequence
and copy them
• choose an empathic pupil or pupils to assist
Swimming activities and water safety
Swimming is often a relaxant. There are often local swimming clubs, which are specifically run
for pupils with disabilities. Instruction should be very specific with the teacher using the pupil’s
name frequently. Visual instructions may also need to be used in the interests of safety.
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Plenum Press

Schopler, E & Mesibov, G. (eds) (1994) Behavioural Issues in Autism New York: Plenum Press

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Plenum Press

Schopler, E & Mesibov, G. (eds) (1984) The Effects of Autism on the Family New York:
Plenum Press

Schopler, E & Mesibov, G. (eds) (1992) High-functioning Individuals with Autism New York:
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Schopler, E & Mesibov, G. (eds) (1995) Learning and Cognition in Autism New York:
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Schopler, E., Mesibov, G. & Kunce, L. (eds) (1998) Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning
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Segar, M. (1997) Coping - A Survival guide for People with Asperger Syndrome Nottingham:
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Shattock, P. & Whiteley, P. (1997) Guidelines for the Implementation of a Gluten and/or Casein
Free Diet with People with Autism or Associated Spectrum Disorders Sunderland:
Autism Research Unit

Shaw, J. (2000) I’m not Naughty - I’m Autistic: Jodi’s Journey London: Jessica Kingsley

Sherratt, D. & Peter, M. (2002) Developing Play and Drama in Children with Autistic Spectrum
Disorders London: David Fulton

Slater-Walker, G. & Slater-Walker, C. (2002) An Asperger Marriage London: Jessica Kingsley

Stehli, A. (1997) The Sound of a Miracle, A Child’s Triumph Over Autism: Gorgiana
Organization Inc

Trevarthen, C. Aitken, K. Papoudi, D. & Robarts, J. (1998) Children with Autism: Diagnosis and
Intervention to Meet Their Needs London: Jessica Kingsley

Vermeulen, P. (2000) I am Special: Introducing children and young people to their autistic
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additional reading
Volkmar, F. (ed) (1998) Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press

Waterhouse, S. (1999) A Positive Approach to Autism London: Jessica Kingsley

Wheeler, M. (1999) Toilet training for individuals with autism and related disorders:
A comprehensive guide for parents and teachers London: Jessica Kingsley

Williams, D.(1996) Autism: an Inside-Out Approach: an Innovative Look at the ‘Mechanics’ of

‘Autism’ and Its Developmental Cousins London: Jessica Kingsley

Williams,D. (1992) Nobody Nowhere: The Extraordinary Autobiography of an Autistic:

Jessica Kingsley

Williams, D. (1993) Somebody Somewhere: Breaking Free from the World of Autism:
Jessica Kingsley

Wiltshire, S. (1989) Cities London: J. M. Dent & Sons

Wiltshire, S. (1987) Drawings London: J. M. Dent & Sons

Wiltshire, S. (1991) Floating Cities: Venice, Amsterdam, Leningrad and Moscow London:
Michael Joseph

Wiltshire, S. (1993) Stephen Wiltshire’s American Dream London: Michael Joseph also
New York: Summit

Wing, L. (1999) Asperger’s Syndrome: a clinical account London: NAS

Wolfberg, P. (1999) Play and Imagination in Children With Autism Travistock Place Teachers
College Press
useful websites
asd Working Party (UK) Guidance, published 2002
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/sen/documents/ACFEFA.htm#PRINCIPLES

web page about marriage where one partner has AS

http://www.asperger-marriage.info/

site for jobseekers working in asd field (UK)

http://www.asdjobs.org/jobseek.asp

an outstanding site built by parents of a child with ASD (AE subscriber)

http://www.autisticangel.net

http://www.hunnybee.com.au/asd/asdsupport1.html
“To you, asd might be a tragedy. For many of us on the spectrum, it is just the way we are.”
Melissa Bee’s gorgeous web site packed full of helpful links!

a hilarious spoof of the medical model of asd, authored by a person with asd - find out if you
are one of the 9625 in every 10 000 who are neurologically typical!
http://isnt.autistics.org/

online Asperger Syndrome information and support

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/

a highly influential group who challenge the dehumanising sobriety and detachment
pervading many professional relationships
http://www.patchadams.org/

a diverse collection of high quality articles on ASD online

http://trainland.tripod.com/asd99.htm

a ground breaking article on emerging Autistic culture by Martijn Dekker

http://trainland.tripod.com/martijn.htm

information about carol gray’s method for teaching social skills

http://www.thegraycenter.org/Social_Stories.htm

tony attwood’s site, with lots of useful links

http://www.tonyattwood.com/

iep discussion group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IEP_guide

get adobe acrobat for reading pdf files about asd

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

asd society of america information page

http://www.asd-society.org/packages/packages.html

asd europe
http://www.asdeurope.arc.be/english/frame.htm
useful websites
world asd organisation
http://worldasd.org/

sensory integration books and resources

http://www.sensoryint.com/recommended.html

picture exchange communication system (PECS)

http://www.asdconnect.org/asd99/html/Preview.cfm?conference_id=6&title_id=135&typ
e=paper

intensive social interaction with a trade mark

http://www.son-rise.org/

division TEACCH
http://www.teacch.com/

USA info site with many links

http://www.asd.org/contents.html

a UK ABA information page

http://www.peach.org.uk/links2.htm

the other uk asd organisation, which provides TEACCH training

http://www.asduk.com/main-index.htm

national autistic society for the uk

http://www.nas.org.uk/

the ultimate ASD information centre, with links database

http://www.asdconnect.org/

list of aspie homepages

http://www.kandi.org/aspergers/Personal_HomePages/index2.html

list of links, including homepages of people with ASD

http://www.isn.net/~jypsy/experts.htm

Dr. Gutstein’s Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) program

http://www.connectionscenter.com/

an article linking air pollution to various disorders, including ASD

http://www.vaccinationnews.com/DailyNews/June2002/IndustrialPollution15.htm

a UK-based site for working parents

http://www.parentsatwork.org.uk/

asd-friendly ASD resource

http://3service.freeservers.com/asd.html
future changes

In providing these opportunities

adults should be aware of the
common strengths and difficulties
that pupils with asd can display
and of the strategies we have found
useful.
The strategies are not exhaustive,
nor is it envisaged that they will
answer all your questions. This is a
working document and as such we
would welcome your comments to
inform future changes.
 copyright

The document may be accessed as a whole or as subject areas.

©
© North West SEN Regional Partnership
Published in 2004 by the North West SEN Regional Partnership. All rights reserved. Local
Educational Authorities and other non-commercial educational organisations and those employed
by them may photocopy any section of this report on condition that the source is acknowledged. All
other individuals and organisations must not reproduce or transmit this report, or any part of it, by
any means, electronically or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information or
retrieval system, without prior permission from the publisher.

designed & produced by printing services

response form
pupils with asd key stages 3 & 4
accessing the curriculum

Subject Area and Key Skill

Issue

Strategies

Name ..............................................................................................................................................

Address ..........................................................................................................................................

E-mail ..............................................................................................................................................

Please return to Mick Connelly

Assistant Manager
Central Service for Support & Advice/PSC Co-ordinator
Blackpool LEA, Progress House, Clifton Road, Blackpool FY8 4US
Email: mick.connelly@blackpool.gov.uk